St. Paul daily globe., 1887-04-03
THE THREE LINKS.
Preparations for Celebrating the
6Sth Anniversary of the Founding
of the order Of Odd Fellows.

6Sth Anniversary of the Founding
of the order Of Odd Fellows.
There are in ST. Paul about 1000 Odd
Fellows. They are divided into eight
lodges, two encampments and one canton,
which is the Patriarch Militant or uniformed
rank. In order to belong to the canton one
must first have been member of the en-
calnpment. All of the lodges are in
aourishing condition. both as regards menl-
bership and finances. The order owns val
liable property in st. Paul, the block on the
corner of Fifth and Wabasha streets, being
valued at SIS. 900. Fash lodge has relief
fund, and each year spends large sums of
money in caring for its sick. No Odd Eel
low ever needs to go beyond his own lodge
to seek aid. Besides this, there Isl general
relief fund. made up from the various
lodges, which is used in caring for tran
sients who have fallen ill away from home,
and no matter how far a man may be from
home, so long as he is an Odd Fellow he
need have no fear of being obliged to ask
for aims.
THE FIRST LODGE.
The order was founded in st. Paul May
3, 1850, by the institution of st. Paul lodge
No. 2, which is the oldest lodge in the
state. There were seven charter members
of this lodge, but one of whom, Benjamin
w. Bronson, is still living. There are,
however. a number of st. Paul's best known
residents who have been members of the
order for nearly thirty years. Among these
are Judge R. r. Nelson, Col. John Far
ington, William S. Combs, Mayor Smith
and J. Fletcher Williams. These are but
few Of the more prominent ones. On
April 26th the order will celebrate in its
80 90 ,,, RI,
founded in 1919. This date has been cele-
bfated each year for years. by parades.
speeches, balls, etc. 1t has always been
customary for st. Paul and Minneapolis to
unite in the observance of the day, and this
year the pleasure of being the entertainer
falls to ST. Paul, and the members of the
local lodges are prepared to do everything
in their power to make this years anniver-
Sary memorable one. Lodges have been
invited from various neighboring towns III
Minnesota and Wisconsin, and it is eX-
pected that a large number of lodges will ac-
cept the invitation. Visiting lodges will be
received during the forenoon and escorted
to Exposition rink. when, it is expected,
Mayor Smith will deliver
AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME.
= After the welcoming address lunch will
be served to those desiring it. At o'clock
the parade will be formed, and the line of
march will include all of the principal
streets. This will undoubtedly be one of
the finest displays ever seen in st. Paul. as
several cantons will be in the line and exc
cute fancy drill movements. After the
parade the lodges will again assemble in the
| rink, when the speeches of the day Will be
delivered. Alfred Arensdorf, of Illinois. a
prominent and eloquent orator, will be the
| speaker of the day. and he will be followed
by Robert Stratton, grand patriarch of
| Minnesota. Rev. r. Forbes will also de-
| liver an address. The committee of ar
rangements is also making an effort to Sc
cure speaker to deliver an address in
German. These speeches will be inter-
spersed with instrumental music, and the
exercises will probably occupy the greater
part of the afternoon. The days exercises
will conclude with ball in the rink in the
evening, in which all resident and visiting
members will take part. In all probability
this years anniversary will be observed on
more extensive scale than ever before.